Former boss rues ‘sad day’ as historic dog track faces end
THE end is finally nigh for Birmingham’s famous Hall Green dog track despite a campaign to save it.
Planning chiefs have agreed for the remaining buildings to be demolished at the historic dog racing stadium.
The grandstand at the stadium, which hosted racing for 90 years, will be a mere memory within two months.
The hotel on the site, in York Road, will also be torn down along with other buildings to pave the way for a 210-home estate.
Stephen Rea, who led a campaign to save the stadium after managing it for 15 years, said: “It is incredibly sad that an iconic part of Birmingham’s heritage is being destroyed when it didn’t have to be.
“There are plenty of other places they could have built on.” The stadium first opened in 1927. It was bought by Euro Property Investments in 2014 in a deal reportedly worth £3 million.
Within two years the firm submitted plans to level the track prompting a fight to save it which amassed an online and paper petition each with more than 2,000 signatures. The campaigners, led by Mr Rea, argued the stadium was prosperous and profitable while a housing development would only existing traffic problems area.
Twenty dog trainers lodged their add to in the own petition, stating they would also suffer the impact of it closing down.
But PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) rallied in favour of the redevelopment declaring dog racing is cruel. Their campaign was backed by more than 7,000 people.
Despite the contentious history around the scheme the planning committee voted for demolition to proceed without debate.
Mr Rea added: “It has been disappointing to see it sitting there and nothing has happened when it could have carried on racing for another six to eight months.
“It is a very sad day. The day the bulldozers move in they will not just be taking away a greyhound track they will be taking away part of Hall Green’s and Birmingham’s heritage.
“Many of the trainers were forced to retire. I was the manager there for 15 years and wherever
“I go all people want to speak about is the loss of Hall Green Stadium.
“It is an incredibly sad time.”